Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, located in Bristol, Tennessee, stands as one of the most iconic and distinctive racing venues in American motorsports. Renowned for its high-banked, half-mile oval and stadium-like atmosphere, Bristol is celebrated for producing close, action-packed competition and is frequently referred to as “The Last Great Colosseum.” Since opening in 1961, it has been a must-see destination for fans across NASCAR and other motorsport disciplines.
History
The idea for Bristol Motor Speedway was conceived by Carl Moore, Larry Carrier, and R.G. Pope, who sought to bring stock car racing to northeast Tennessee after being inspired by Charlotte Motor Speedway’s debut. After acquiring 100 acres of farmland for $600,000, the original Bristol International Speedway was constructed and completed in about a year. Its unique half-mile layout, 60 feet wide on the straights and 75 feet in the turns, was designed for maximum intensity, with initial banking set at 22 degrees.
The facility quickly made a mark with its inaugural NASCAR event on July 30, 1961, won by Jack Smith (who received relief from Johnny Allen due to heat exhaustion). Subsequent years saw notable advancements: the installation of a state-of-the-art dragstrip in 1965, the first of its kind with modern amenities, and progressive increases in track banking—reaching 36 degrees by 1969—to accommodate ever-faster stock cars. Ownership transitioned several times, with Lanny Hester and Gary Baker acquiring the speedway in 1976, later rebranding it as Bristol International Raceway and instituting major renovations, including the reintroduction of the traditional 500-lap distance for NASCAR events and the first night race in 1978.
The venue’s modern era began in 1996, when Bruton Smith’s Speedway Motorsports, Inc. purchased the track, significantly expanding seating capacity to over 100,000 and adding premier facilities. Unique initiatives—such as the temporary conversion of the oval to dirt for World of Outlaws events in 2000 and 2001—have given Bristol a reputation for versatility and spectacle.
Most Famous Races Held
Bristol hosts two annual NASCAR Cup Series races: the Food City 500 (spring) and the Bass Pro Shops Night Race (fall), with the night race in particular regarded as one of the most anticipated and electric events on the NASCAR calendar. Bristol has also hosted NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series races, historic NHRA drag racing at adjacent Bristol Dragway, and marquee non-motorsports spectacles, including the upcoming 2025 MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds—the track’s stadium design making it adaptable for large-scale events.
Track Information
Bristol Motor Speedway is a 0.533-mile (0.858 km) concrete oval with extraordinarily steep banking—currently listed as progressive banking up to 28–30 degrees in the corners and around 6–10 degrees on the straights. It features two pit roads, unique for a short track, and seating for over 150,000 spectators at its peak (currently about 146,000, making it one of the largest stadiums in the United States). The venue’s tight track confines and high speeds make for frequent contact, thrilling action, and its famous “Bristol bump-and-run” passes. Adjacent to the main circuit is Bristol Dragway, a leading facility for NHRA-sanctioned drag racing.